Gretchen Richardson
Dave Roman (born May 26, 1977) is an American writer and artist of webcomics and comics, known for co‑creating Jax Epoch and the Quicken Forbidden and Teen Boat (both with John Green), and for his middle‑grade series Astronaut Academy. A School of Visual Arts alum, Roman interned at DC Comics before spending 11 years as a comics editor at Nickelodeon Magazine (until the magazine ended publication in 2009). He has co‑authored licensed graphic novels (including X‑Men: Misfits with Raina Telgemeier) and contributed to acclaimed anthologies while touring schools and libraries to inspire young creators.
Infobox: Dave Roman
| Born | May 26, 1977 |
| Occupation | Writer, artist, editor |
| Known for | Astronaut Academy; Teen Boat; Jax Epoch and the Quicken Forbidden |
| Notable roles | Comics editor, Nickelodeon Magazine (11 years; ended 2009) |
| Education | School of Visual Arts (SVA), New York |
| Spouse | Raina Telgemeier (m. 2006; div. 2015) |
| Residence / origins | Grew up in North Babylon, Long Island; has lived in Astoria, New York |
Overview
Roman blends humor, adventure, and school‑age drama across original and licensed comics. His projects span creator‑owned webcomics that migrated to print, editorial work shepherding kid‑friendly comics for a mainstream magazine, and frequent speaking engagements that advocate for comics as literacy tools.
Early Life & Education
Raised in North Babylon on Long Island, Roman showed an early passion for art and narrative, often filling sketchbooks with original characters, comic strips, and imaginative stories inspired by the cartoons, books, and movies he loved as a child. He participated in local art programs and school newspaper comics before deciding to pursue comics professionally. Roman went on to study sequential art and cartooning at New York’s School of Visual Arts (SVA), where he honed his skills in visual storytelling, page layout, and collaboration, and later earned praise from faculty as a successful and widely admired alumnus who bridged the gap between independent comics and mainstream children’s publishing.
Editorial Career
Roman entered the industry as an intern at DC Comics, gaining hands‑on experience with professional production workflows, editorial processes, and the coordination between writers, artists, and letterers. He went on to a full‑time role at Nickelodeon Magazine, serving as a comics editor for 11 years until the magazine’s closure in 2009. During this period, he commissioned, edited, and curated kid‑focused comics content, working closely with both emerging and established creators, developing original strips, and managing licensed properties tied to popular Nickelodeon shows. His role also involved balancing humor with age‑appropriate storytelling, liaising with art directors, and ensuring that the magazine’s comics maintained a consistent voice and visual style that resonated with its young readership.
Creator‑Owned & Webcomics
Jax Epoch and the Quicken Forbidden (with John Green)
- Debut: Webcomic launched 1997; later collected in two print volumes: Borrowed Magic and Separation Anxiety.
- Premise: A genre‑mash adventure following a teenager whose everyday choices ripple across magical realities.
- Recognition: Harvey Award nomination (Best Single Issue or Story, 2004) for Quicken Forbidden #12.
Teen Boat (with John Green)
- Format: Stories appeared both online and in print, including the Ignatz‑winning “Teen Boat #6: Vote Boat” (Outstanding Debut, 2004).
- Tone: Parody of teen‑drama tropes with nautically absurd stakes; warmly received by many readers, while some critics found the humor intentionally over‑the‑top.
Astronaut Academy (series)
- Origins: Began as a webcomic, then expanded to print.
- First book: Astronaut Academy: Zero Gravity (First Second, 2011), starring a former intergalactic hero navigating middle school life.
- Accolade: Web Cartoonists’ Choice Award (Outstanding New Character Design, 2005) recognizing the strip’s early development.
Agnes Quill: An Anthology of Mystery
- Concept: Teen detective with the ability to see and communicate with the dead.
- Media: Collected as a graphic novel; Paramount Pictures optioned film rights in 2008.
Licensed & Collaborative Works
- X‑Men: Misfits (Del Rey Manga, 2009) — Co‑authored with Raina Telgemeier; appeared on the New York Times Paperback Graphic Books bestseller list for multiple weeks.
- Avatar: The Last Airbender — Wrote a comics adaptation and co‑wrote the prequel Zuko’s Story.
- Rugrats — Created humorous comic‑strip collections tied to the animated series.
- Anthologies — Contributions to Flight Vol. 3, Nursery Rhyme Comics (First Second, 2011), Not My Small Diary, and Bizarro World (DC).
- Design — Created a CD cover for wizard‑rock band Harry and the Potters.
Speaking, Teaching & Outreach
A passionate advocate for youth literacy through comics, Roman has toured schools, libraries, and bookstores across the U.S. and internationally, presenting interactive workshops, keynote talks, and hands-on sessions on cartooning, visual storytelling, and the creative process. He incorporates live drawing demonstrations, Q&A segments, and collaborative exercises that encourage participants to create their own characters and narratives. Roman emphasizes that making comics is an accessible, low-cost way for kids to combine drawing, writing, problem‑solving, and critical thinking, while also fostering empathy, teamwork, and confidence in self‑expression.
Reception & Reviews
- Industry & peers: Praised by SVA professor Keith Mayerson as one of the school’s “most successful and beloved alumni,” widely known to students before they ever met him.
- Critics: GeekDad “thoroughly enjoyed” Teen Boat Book One for its playful genre send‑ups, while Kirkus Reviews critiqued aspects of the humor and character design as intentionally exaggerated—reflecting the series’ deliberate parody.
Awards & Recognition (Selected)
- Friends of Lulu — Volunteer of the Year (2003) for editing the anthology Broad Appeal.
- Harvey Award nomination — Quicken Forbidden #12 (Best Single Issue or Story, 2004).
- Ignatz Award — Outstanding Debut (2004) for Teen Boat #6: Vote Boat.
- Web Cartoonists’ Choice Award (2005) — Outstanding New Character Design for Astronaut Academy (webcomic).
Personal Life
Roman has lived in Astoria, New York, where he was part of a tight-knit cartoonist community, and grew up in North Babylon on Long Island, where his early love of drawing and storytelling flourished. He married fellow cartoonist Raina Telgemeier in 2006; the pair collaborated on creative projects such as X‑Men: Misfits before their divorce in 2015.
Bibliography (Selected)
Creator‑Owned
- Jax Epoch and the Quicken Forbidden (with John Green; webcomic; print vols. Borrowed Magic, Separation Anxiety)
- Teen Boat (with John Green; web & print)
- Astronaut Academy (series; webcomic → print; begins with Zero Gravity, First Second, 2011)
- Agnes Quill: An Anthology of Mystery
Licensed / Collaborations
- X‑Men: Misfits (2009; co‑authored with Raina Telgemeier)
- Avatar: The Last Airbender — adaptation; Zuko’s Story (prequel; co‑writer)
- Rugrats comic‑strip collections
Anthologies
Flight Vol. 3; Nursery Rhyme Comics (2011); Not My Small Diary; Bizarro World
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should a new reader start?
Try Astronaut Academy: Zero Gravity for school‑age sci‑fi comedy, or Teen Boat for parody and slapstick with John Green’s energetic art.
What kind of talks does Roman give?
Interactive workshops on character design, visual pacing, and turning ideas into finished comics—tailored for classrooms and libraries.
